NITA FA’s winning streak continues; Shreebhumi FC on a winning note too
NITA FA’s winning streak continues as in their second match of the Indian Women’s Super League (IWL) on Saturday, the Odisha team humbled Kickstart FC of Karnataka 5-0 at Kalyani Stadium. India international Pyari Xaxa was, as usual, in good touch, scoring a hat-trick. Togolese international Amiratou N’Djambara and Neha Sillay scored one each. NITA’s national coach, Paromita Sit, although satisfied with the girls’ performance, said, “It would have been better if the team had obtained at least a month for intensive training. Still, they have been improving gradually.” Paromita praised Pyari Xaxa also for her consistency despite the fact that she had to travel the whole night by bus from Odhisha to Kolkata on the day before NITA’s opening match against Gukalam FC, as she was not initially allowed by her employer, Odhisha Police, to take part in the ongoing IWL. However, in another match on Saturday morning at the National Centre of Excellence (NCE) ground, Shreebhumi FC edged past debutant SESA Goa Academy to maintain their winning line. India international Anju Tamang scored the winner in the 20th minute.
Amorim changes formation for the first time in 13 months! Manchester United earn a Christmas present
Manchester United coach Ruben made jokes in September that even Pope would not be able to persuade him to change the team’s style of play. But for the first time since he took charge 13 months ago, he fielded a back four and Manchester United earned a Christmas present with a 1-0 victory against Newcastle United to advance to the fifth position in the Premier League table. Patrick Dorgu struck the winner in the first half. The victory was achieved with 33.4% possession, their lowest share of possession in any game this season. It was United’s lowest percentage of possession in a victory since the 29.4% they had when beating Manchester City in January 2023. Despite the low possession, United managed nine shots at Old Trafford, while Newcastle recorded 16. The visitors also had 43 touches in United’s box, compared to Amorim’s men, who could manage only 15. The host has 29 points after 18 matches, with the rest of? The next matches are to be played on Saturday and Sunday, while Newcastle is 11th with 23 points. “Yes,” was the unequivocal reply when asked whether this was one of the most satisfying wins in his stressed 13 months as the chief coach of the team. He also explained, “The feeling is good. If you compare to other matches, we suffered so much more today, but in certain moments we put everything on the line. We are defending every cross. Especially if you see the second half, sometimes we managed to defend with a back six,” explained Amorim. He added, “We had many matches where we controlled the opponent much better, but it is a good feeling to have a clean sheet. We suffered together, and if we always have this spirit, we are going to win more matches.”
Sukhen Dey dies only at 35 on Friday!
Sukhen Dey, a left-back who earned prominence, wearing Prayag United SC (Now United Sports) in 2011 and played regularly for the team for three consecutive seasons, died of a massive heart attack on Friday on duty at his Eastern Railway office. His age was only 35 years! Sukhen made his debut in the I-League against Sporting Clube De Goa in 2011, and then he did not look back. In the next three seasons, the defender participated in 26 first-class matches for the team. Then Sukhen switched over to Mohun Bagan’s I-League-winning squad in 2014-2015. They had played under the guidance of Sanjoy Sen in both United SC and Mohun Bagan in 2014-15. The grief-stricken coach, while remembering Dey, said on Friday, “I am stunned. He was very thin, not at all like a typical defender in appearance. But under my guidance in United SC, Sukhen had a tremendous performance against East Bengal in a match. The Australian forward, Tolgey Ozbey, was made ‘completely disabled’ by Sukhen. He stopped Tolgey’s down-the-flanks run. Sukhen had an excellent sense of the game.” Nabab Bhattacharya, also stunned with the news, said, “He played for us from the youth level. He was scouted by late Subhas Bhowmick. We were amazed to have seen his football sense despite lacking a typical defender’s physique.”
Borja Herrera leaves FC Goa due to uncertainty over ISL
Borja Herrera Gonzalez announced his exit from Goa’s ISL club FC Goa on Friday. The Spanish midfielder spent two-and-a-half seasons with the club. Borja, also the club captain, said the situation has become too anxious for him and his family, and the people in charge have pushed him to make this decision, clearly hinting at the dire straits Indian football finds itself in and the uncertainty over the Indian Super League (ISL).’ ‘Before I leave, I want to thank each and every person at this club, my wonderful teammates who are more than that—they’re my friends—and all the fans who have always shown me their support and respect,” Borja said in an Instagram post. “I’m leaving with a heavy heart because I’ve enjoyed these last two years immensely, through the good times and the bad, like these last few months where I’ve truly seen what it means to have a team that’s like a family, and who, despite the problems, have tried to come to training every day with a smile. “My family and I have been very happy, and we’re taking away many unforgettable memories of Goa. All that’s left for me to say is thank you again, and I’ll always carry you in my heart,” Borja added.
Resumption of the ISL sees a ray of hope as AIFF floats 20-year proposal to ISL clubs
The AIFF has designed a 20-season plan for the Indian Super League (ISL), in which competing clubs must pay a Rs 1 Crore participation fee under an ‘open model’, inclusive of promotion and relegation. AIFF, as well as the clubs, feel this framework could be strong and can protect the interests of both parties. Though owned and operated by AIFF as mandated in its Supreme Court-approved constitution, governance of the league would rest on a board formed with approval from its general body that would enjoy “certain operational autonomy over commercial matters”, addressing concerns over financial viability and salability. “The jurisdiction of the board would be limited to the utilization of unrestricted funds within the yearly operational budget earmarked for the same,” it was written in the AIFF document shared with clubs. Clubs displayed no reservations on the idea of a governing board, details of which would be worked out in due course. In a meeting attended by all 13 ISL clubs for the first year, the operational budget is estimated at approximately Rs 70 crore, with AIFF’s fixed revenue share being 10 per cent, with a yearly contribution of Rs 7 crore, which they will invest in their youth leagues. Clubs are entitled to 50 per cent of shares, contributing Rs 35 crore to the general revenue pool, while the commercial partner will commit Rs 21 crore. The remaining 10 per cent share is earmarked for club allocation for ‘fixed revenue share’, amounting to Rs 7 crore, which will proceed towards the general revenue pool. Clubs are willing to consider it and would engage in internal discussions to go through the nitty-gritty of operational expenses, salary cap, and protection of investment before engaging with AIFF again on December 29 to iron out the details. They would also meet a day before to finalise one among the condensed models that AIFF has presented for the stalled 2025-26 edition. In that case, the tentative kick-off of the ISL this season might take place on 5th February. Clubs had earlier proposed to AIFF a cumulative Rs 10 crore per year for perpetual ownership of the League, which was turned down by its general body after AIFF had sought discussions on joint-organisation. If hand-shakes between the clubs and the AIFF happen finally happen on December 29, AIFF needs to get it ratified in its general meeting then place the proposal before the ministry for approval from the Court, possibly on 5th January when it resumes after the winter break., clubs had a good feeling when they spoke to AIFF’s three-member committee specifically formed to find a way through on 24th December.
Sreebhumi FC take sweet revenge, defeating Gokulam Kerala FC in their IWL opener
Shreebhumi FC started their campaign in their second edition of the Indian Women’s League (IWL) in style, trouncing Gokulam Kerala FC 4-0 at Kalyani Stadium on Wednesday. Grace Dangmei struck twice while Rimpa Halder and Anju Chanu scored one each for the winners. Shreebhumi lost to Gokulam Kerala FC in their opening match of the IWL last season. The team’s Technical Director, Shukla Dutta, however, said, “First match is always a tough game for any team. Considering the perspective, our performance today was satisfactory, although we missed more chances. Rimpa was consistent throughout.” The club is now waiting for its two Ghanaian footballers, a striker and a defender, who can bolster the team in their forthcoming matches. The foreigners are expected to arrive within a couple of days and join the team before their next match on 27th December. In another match of the day, NITA FA humbled debutant SESA FA 6-1. India international Pyari Xaxa, who joined the team only three days ago, struck the hat-trick while Amiratu scored twice and Bhumika scored one for the winners.
Messi’s sister is hospitalised after a car crash! Wedding cancelled
Lionel Messi’s sister, Maria Sol Messi, has been hospitalised after a severe car crash in Miami. The accident has forced the postponement of her forthcoming wedding, scheduled in early January. According to reports from Argentine newspapers, the 32-year-old suffered from several injuries in the accident, including spinal fractures, burns, as well as heel and wrist fractures. Argentine TV journalist Ngel de Brito, speaking on the America TV programme LAM, said Messi’s mother, Celia Cuccittini, confirmed that Maria Sol is now out of danger but faces a lengthy period of rehabilitation. “She is okay, she’s out of danger,” de Brito said while reading messages he said were confirmed by the family. “But she was due to get married in Rosario on 3rd January and naturally it has to be suspended now. She suffered burns, which are very difficult to treat, and displacement of vertebrae. She has already started her rehabilitation in Rosario.” The crash reportedly occurred in Miami when Maria Sol lost control of the vehicle she was driving and hit a wall. De Brito added that Cuccittini told him her daughter fainted moments before the accident. There has also been speculation that the burns may have been caused by a motorbike fall, though that detail has not been officially confirmed. Maria Sol was due to marry Julin “Tuli” Arellano, a member of Inter Miami CF’s under-19 coaching staff, in her hometown of Rosario. The ceremony was expected to be a major family gathering, with the entire Messi family in attendance, including her brother, Lionel Messi, and his wife, Antonela Roccuzzo. Messi himself famously married Roccuzzo in Rosario in 2017. Like her brother, Maria Sol grew up in the same neighbourhood as her partner. A clothing designer and entrepreneur, she has largely stayed out of the public eye, having lived in Spain for a period before returning to Argentina to focus on her own projects.
Neymar undergoes surgery; hopes to return to national squad
Neymar has undergone a successful Neymar is expected to require a recovery period of around a month. His Santos contract expires at the end of the year, but he is in talks with the club over a new deal. The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain forward has not played for Brazil in over two years but hopes to be fit and feature in coach Carlo Ancelotti’s plans for Fifa World Cup 2026 Neymar is Brazil’s record goalscorer with 79 goals from 128 matches. The operation was made on his left knee to repair a damaged meniscus, his club Santos said on Monday. The 33-year-old endured a difficult season with Santos as he played through the injury to help the club avoid relegation from Brazil’s top flight. Brazil’s national team doctor performed the arthroscopic surgery, having previously operated on Neymar for a foot fracture as well as the ruptured anterior cruciate ligament he suffered against Uruguay in October 2023.
AIFF to get ‘election breather’ for implementation of Sports Governance Act!
The upcoming elections of all national sports federations (NSFs) have been postponed by a year to facilitate the flawless adoption of the new electoral framework as laid down in the National Sports Governance Act, a move that will impact the All India Football Federation. In a letter to the presidents of the Indian Olympic Association and NSFs on Monday, the Union sports ministry said postponement of upcoming elections till 31st December, 2026, has been decided as a part of transitional assessment to adopt the new NSG Act. It means the NSF elections of football would be held only in 2027, and the existing Kalyan Chaubey-led executive committee would continue to remain in charge, subject to the approval of the general bodies of respective NSFs. AIFF elections were due in September 2026, after completion of the Chaubey-led committee’s four-year term. The AIFF president Chaubey is also the joint-secretary of IOA. Since NSFs require considerable “statutory, structural and procedural” changes once the Act gets notified, the ministry decided on a “one-time extension” for adequate preparation. “In order to facilitate the smooth transition under the new governance framework as also to allow adequate time for implementation of the statutory requirements under the NSG Act, 2025 by the NSFs, it has been decided that those NSFs, whose elections are scheduled to be held in the coming months, except the cases where there are specific directions by Courts of Law, are allowed to defer the elections up to 31st December, 2026 – as a transitional measure,” Harikumar M, Director (Sports), of the ministry said.
AIFF struggles to survive with Rs 19.89 crore savings! A ray of hope with sponsorship for IWL and the government’s promise
Is Indian football nearing a financial downfall? According to a report from Khel Now, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) has only Rs 19.89 Crore in its savings account, which the organization can use freely, not the illusory amount of Rs 50 Crore! In the AGM, held on 20th December, AIFF has shown that it has a fund of Rs 50.57 Crore. But in reality, the number looks fantasy! The truth is that the AIFF has a bank balance of Rs 19.89 Crore, which it can use freely. It has a fixed-deposit of Rs 21. 63 Crore, which s locked in and also has nearly Rs 10 Crore which belongs to Fifia projects! The money granted by FIFA cannot be freely used as it comes with strict conditions. The federation still projects an approximate deficit of Rs 23 Crore by 31st May this year. Along with this, if the unpaid bills and liabilities are added, the deficiency goes to Rs 25.88 Crore! One of the senior AIFF executives, when asked about the issue by Parallel Sports, divulged on condition of anonymity, “Yes, the AIFF is going through a severe financial crisis. Still, we are optimistic that the situation will change.” Despite the struggle, the ongoing Indian Women’s League (IWL) has got an investment of approximately Rs 3 Crore. But the Federation has to bear the whole expenses of the Santosh Trophy, which goes to approximately Rs 4 Crore. If sponsorship cannot be obtained, then the AIFF has plans to go for cost curtailment, and in that case, a couple of age-group tournaments, which were introduced a couple of years ago as a part of youth development programs, may be stopped for this season. However, the AIFF seems to have a ray of hope amidst the dwindling present, that the Union Sports Ministry has promised to come forward for the training of the junior and men’s junior national teams, even financially, who have earned qualification for the Asian Cup main round.
